Working on my fuel system and am totally confused. I have a tank
manufacturer here in town who is willing to build a couple of 5086
aluminum tanks for me for considerably less than the other tank makers I
have found. Naturally I want to check out his proposed specs against the
regulations.

"SAFETY STANDARDS FOR BACKYARD BOAT BUILDERS” (for all intents usless
once you get past a skiboat) refers to 33 CFR183.580 which concerns
gasoline tanks. Basically it says an acceptable tank has to be built,
beat to death, pressureized to 5 psi and if it doesn't leak, you can use
it. How far back in the hull determines how much you have to beat on it.

46 CFR 58.50 and 182.440 specify 5000 series aluminum with a minimum
thickness of 1/4" for diesel tanks. That seems a bit excessive for a 40
gallon tank but 46 CFR is for passenger vessels.

What are the requirements for a recreational diesel tank?

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com